You know, many police officers carry Glocks for years with excellent results, and the G21 would be a fine carry piece, especially since you'll have it in a good holster. But if you just can't see that, you might want to shop around a little and if you do, I bet you could find a regular Springfield Mil-Spec instead of the GI version, and still be within your budget. The reason I suggest that is that I think the larger ejection port has a lot to be said for it.

Something to keep in mind is that many departments prohibit the use of Cocked and Locked carry, even on OFF DUTY carry.

While the 1911 makes for a fine carry gun for "civilian use", and when not used as a primary firearm it's great, but when it comes to a duty gun and the pistol is your primary, there are better options when you may have to fight your way back to the squad car to retreive a long gun.

Just this past November, I bought a new M&P 45 with the 4" barrel and standard size frame. An Apex DCAEK kit was installed while I waited for my NICS to clear. Later that evening I re-installed the factory OEM trigger spring. This is probably the best shooting practical carry .45 I have ever had the pleasure to own or shoot. And excellent carry gun and one you might wish to give some real serious thought to getting.

Something to keep in mind is that many departments prohibit the use of Cocked and Locked carry, even on OFF DUTY carry.

While the 1911 makes for a fine carry gun for "civilian use", and when not used as a primary firearm it's great, but when it comes to a duty gun and the pistol is your primary, there are better options when you may have to fight your way back to the squad car to retreive a long gun.

This

Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

Just this past November, I bought a new M&P 45 with the 4" barrel and standard size frame. An Apex DCAEK kit was installed while I waited for my NICS to clear. Later that evening I re-installed the factory OEM trigger spring. This is probably the best shooting practical carry .45 I have ever had the pleasure to own or shoot. And excellent carry gun and one you might wish to give some real serious thought to getting.

Yes. M&P is one of the top pistols you can by IMO.

The only thing is I have never heard of any Law Enforcement Agency allowing you to carry something other than what is suppose to be issued.

I am not a big fan of the Glock, but you should have no problems with safeties. Just remember to keep your finger off the trigger. I however don't blame you for wanting to carry something other than a Glock if they will let you.

Something to keep in mind is that many departments prohibit the use of Cocked and Locked carry, even on OFF DUTY carry.

While the 1911 makes for a fine carry gun for "civilian use", and when not used as a primary firearm it's great, but when it comes to a duty gun and the pistol is your primary, there are better options when you may have to fight your way back to the squad car to retreive a long gun.

Hello, first time poster here. I would like to know if you would elaborate further on your view of the 1911 and its draw backs as a primary. Thank you.

I favor Glock or XD because I know them, but I hear only good things from M&P owners. Personally, I would not want a lever safety on a carry gun, because I think they are unnecessary for a striker fired pistol being used by an experienced shooter, but that all depends on how you train, I guess.

Hello, first time poster here. I would like to know if you would elaborate further on your view of the 1911 and its draw backs as a primary. Thank you.

Drawbacks are pretty simple:

1: Capacity. 7 or 8 +1 for capacity in a full size, 6 or 7+1 in a compact, not counting some of of the double stack models.

2: Weight. A full size steel frame 1911 weighs in at 38oz empty. A similar size polymer 9mm that holds 20 rounds weighs less. There's some lightweight and smaller models, but that leads into other issues that I'll cover later.

3: The manual safety. It takes more time to build the "muscle memory" to swipe off the safety during the draw stroke.

4: Higher level of user end maintenance.

And that's not even getting into finding the right mix of ammo and magazines that your gun likes which can be maddening if an issue.

The 1911 is a nice pistol, and if you shoot it well and are willing to put in some effort it can serve well, but regardless of skill it will always be one or the other compared to a lot of other guns. Heavier or carry less ammo.

There's those out there that will say "I just carry an extra magazine" to compensate for the low round count but extra ammo on your person will never make up for less rounds in the gun.

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Qualified purchasers for this program include:

All sworn Law Enforcement Officers, including state, county and city
All Federal Law Enforcement Officers
All Corrections Officers, including Parole and Probation Officers
All retired Law Enforcement Officers with retired credentials
State licensed Security Company Officers
Licensed Para-Medics and EMTs
Fire Fighters (including volunteers)
Court Judges
District Attorneys and Deputy District Attorneys
Active U.S. Military personnel – all branches
Former U.S. Military personnel – all branches

Although I am not LE, I am active military and I own both M&P and Glock. Both are awesome weapons and neither have a thumb safety. I have never had any issues with either as far as safety goes. I love my Glock because of the simplicity and ease of breakdown and to be honest, I am more accurate with it over the M&P. I love the M&P because it fits my hand perfectly and, well, its just an awesome looking gun! I did install the Apex trigger upgrade because, in my opinion, the stock triggers suck! lol WIth the Glock blue label program you should be able to find one with 3 mags and night sights for well under $600.